Thursday, January 22, 2009

Cherniak's MP Shutout Completely...Along with Many Others

I guess the OLO got the hint that some former liberal activists would like to know who the new lineup is.

Some notables have been totally shunned by the OLO. Cherniak's MP Bryon Wilfert goes from the main spokeshead to not even having a critic position. Ken Dryden, the sober thinker in the party, has been deleted completely from the critic spots. Ignatieff stallwort Albina Guarnieri, a former minister of Veterans Affairs also got squat. Naturally nothing for Dion. And, what would be the need to have someone like Ujjal Dosanjh in a leading role anywhere? Trudeau? Too green I guess. Paul Szabo? Nada. At least McGuinty got environment - as I thought he would.

25 comments:

"In this capacity, Ken Dryden will take on the new role of National Outreach Advisor, Working Families & Poverty, reflecting his long-standing commitments to these issues, and will also act as Special Liaison, National Fundraising."

There's also only 9 women in this line-up which as a proportion is no better than Harper for his cabinet. I hope if Ignatieff becomes PM he does commit to uphold Dion's commitment of having the real cabinet be 50% women. We shouldn't be taking steps backward on this. Joyce Murray, Hedy Fry, Kirsty Duncan, Albina Guarnieri, Siobhan Coady and Judy Foote all were qualified to be in this line-up and were shafted even though tehy had positions before.

Un-f@cking believable. They just added that to their statement now Steve V. It was not in the original release. That list also now includes Dryden at the very bottom on the Liberal website. It wasn't my oversight. Steve. It simply was not there at all. That is why it is now the last paragraph in the release.

I didn't see it at first either, but I just wanted to point out that he wasn't slighted. When I saw the initial critics, I knew something was up with Dryden, no way he doesn't get a slot. He should do well in this capacity, it's his passion.

And, I only pointed to Kennedy, because if anyone was going to get slighted, it was probably going to be the guy who went to Rae, at the eleventh hour. I'm pleased to see Ignatieff included Kennedy, with a key role, because it speaks to unity.

James, it is time for you to join me on the back of the Michael bandwagon.

I have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for Michael to start making changes. I have to admit I am impressed with Michel's decision making today.

Gerard, while working his butt off in Industry, and losing it, is far better a choice and more in his element as Infrastructure, Communities and Cities critic. He should make mincemeat of former Queen's Park adversary, Infrastructure Minister John Baird.

Biggest surprise is to see Navdeep out. I would have kept Navdeep in International Trade and given Scott Intergovernmental Affairs. Otherwise, very well done Michael.

James, it is time for you to join me on the back of the Michael bandwagon.

Only 77 MP's - a little hard to give them all a position. I was told that Dion was offered something and turned it down - I don't know what, etc.

You know what - no matter who is chosen - someone will be unhappy.

I'm glad Rae is still Foreign Affairs critic - he'll put the Tories lack of experience, knowledge and guts to stand up to Harper to shame.

I'm thinking - apparently, Rae is a terrific negotiator....now if the Liberals were the government, just think what he could do in negotiating peace, etc. I'm thinking - Pearson had that same ability - who knows what may happen. Maybe even - Rae's claim to fame is coming. Just thinking.....

Come on BCL. He's more deserving than say...Wilfert...or, Szabo. You know. Szabo who ran the in-and-out committee thingy on behalf of the entire Liberal Party and backed Ignatieff both leadership times.

I really feel that some were left out because of "other work" that needs to be done:

Szabo: He needs to continue being the "scandal seeker" - He did an awesome job at this, and blocking up his time with a "critic" portfolio would be a waste of his talents.

Dosanjh: Needs to focus on his own riding, first, then spearhead a Greater Vancouver resurgence. We lost ground in Metro Van last election, and we shouldn't have. The people out here are among the most "liberal" in all of Canada. We need people like Dosanjh, and our other MP who almost lost her seat to focus on very local matters first. Dhaliwal is a good choice from Metro Van because he handily won his seat, and he could afford to spend some time working on some portfolios...

Just my thoughts - knowing some of these players personally (and their ridings).

Isn't it NICE to have such an embarrassment of riches, that we're all wondering "what about this person or that one?" in regards to these posts?

Over in Harper-land, they can't find anyone talented enough to fill posts. The put someone in a role, and the world collectively says "who"? They have such a dearth of talent, and we, such a "dream team".

I think it's fair to say, we have one heck of a group ready to slam Harper back down to 90 seat (-) territory.

Well it is coincidence that Ujjal and Hedy both supported Rae. There is also a thought that nobody over 60 is going to be in the shadow cabinet. With the exception of Bob and Michael and maybe one other.

I'm not at all suprised to see Szabo not included in shadow cab. With Tom Wapell retiring, Szabo can be fairly uncontroversially described as THE most socially conservative member of the caucus, and while he is a hard working MP, having an outspokenly anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage MP in the spotlight wouldn't help much in terms of renewal.